Hi all, I have removed and done an oil change on the Marzocchi forks fitted to my 1199. When I took them off, I measured the distance from the top of the fork cap to the top of the top clamp at 8.0mm one side and 8.3mm the other. I repositioned them using the figures from an 1199S manual with Ohlins which gave a figure of 253.87mm from the top of the bottom clamp. This, when all back together gave me a figure of 7.1mm above the top clamp to fork cap. Does anyone have a correct figure for this top clamp to fork cap or a figure from the manual for the top of bottom clamp to fork cap. If not, if some kind soul could check their own bike I would be very grateful. I don't expect any of this to make a huge difference to the handling it's just me and my OCD...
The figure that you've obtained for the Ohlins forks applies to the Marzocchi forks as well (253.87mm, ~10"). Measure from the top of the lower steering head base to the top of the fork cap. Both forks should be set to the same height (the difference between the two not exceeding 0.1mm according to the manual). With the forks properly installed and set at the same height, if you measure from the top of the steering head proper to the top of the fork cap, there may me a small variance as you've mentioned. It's present on my bike as well. And worth mentioning, setting the forks at a level other than the prescribed 253.87mm can make a significant difference as it changes the bikes geometry. Only a small amount of adjustment is available to that end as the raised portion of the lower stanchion tube must remain fully positioned in the clamping portion of the steering head base regardless of the adjustment. The result of increasing the distance (>253.87mm), for example, can allow the bike to tip into a corner quicker.
Thanks for confirming that. I really appreciate it. I took a guess on using the fork height details for the S model, so I am glad I won't have to change it. I couldn't tell if the fork position had been adjusted before as my bike has had a few owners prior to me, so I decided to put it back to factory settings and then I can change it to suit if I want.
That'll work... the factory specifications can yield exceptional performance when the suspension has been dialed in.
